Amazon Workspaces is a VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) that allows a user to securely connect to a cloud compute instance. SEAS Computing has bundled a few software (Solidworks or Comsol) as applications which authorized SEAS users may utilize.

Before you start using the Virtual Desktop (VD), please take note of the following:

• The VDs are to be used for the intended purposes only, i.e. class work if the VD is for a class.
• All commercial software made available on the VD should be used only for academic course work in the class for which the VD is made available. They may not be used for thesis work.
• All the VDs will be decommissioned at the end of class. Please transfer any material you want to keep out of the VD. Otherwise, it will be lost.
• Please close any licensed applications (comsol, solidworks, abaqus, etc.) once you are done with your work. That way the licenses will become available for other users.

Connecting to your virtual desktop 

If your class is given access to SEAS Virtual Desktops (VD), follow the instructions below.

1. Login to your class Canvas site.

2. Look for  a VDI button (VDI_AWS or VDI_AWS-Workspace or SEAS_VDI) on the canvas landing page for your class and click on it.

3. Follow the instructions on the new page that opens. 

As the instructions say, you can either use  a client for your operating system (only for Mac and Windows) or login from the web (only Chrome and Firefox). If you are using web access, you need the registration code. You can get it by going to your class canvas and following step (2) above. 

For linux, Web Access is the only viable option. Web Access can also be used on Mac (not on Safari) or Windows.

Note: First time provisioning of a machine can take as much as 30 minutes. Try to get yourself setup well before the first class.

4. Please make sure to check your spam folders in case Amazon AWS informs you that a mail has been sent and you did not receive it.

For any password difficulties, you should be able to click on "Forgot Password?" that appears on the login page and follow the instructions. 

A note about email: The email where you will receive notification is the one you use for Harvard Key. If you do not have a Harvard Key, it depends on the nature of your association with Harvard and the email in Harvard records. If you have XID, then the email is the one you used for obtaining XID.

5. Once you are done with your work on the machine, close any commercial software and log out of the machine.

File Transfers

You cannot transfer files from the VD to your local machine directly. You can transfer files as attachments to your email. You can also use Google Drive/OneDrive/Dropbox. You should be able to install Dropbox client or work via a browser. Please try to transfer files as soon as you can. If the machine is decommissioned or has to be recommissioned for a user due to technical difficulties, all the files on the machine may be lost.

VPN:

You do NOT have to be on VPN to access any license servers for any commercial software. We built the VDI infrastructure to already have access to the license servers. Use your workspace as you would any lab machine.

Connection Difficulties (please read before you contact us)

A. Problem: You did not receive an invitation email from Amazon

     Solution: It may be in your spam folder. If you are using, for example gmail (including g.harvard.edu), check your spam folder. Once you locate the email in your spam folder, click the 'NOT SPAM' button on top of the email. This  sends the email to your inbox and activates any links.

 B. Problem: Invitation link does not work

     Solution:  The link expires when you clicked on it earlier and set up your password.  If you have done that and remember your password, you should be

                      able to download the client (unless you have already done that) and login. If you have not downloaded the client:

                     - download and install at https://clients.amazonworkspaces.com

                    - enter the registration and user name from the email with the expired link.

                    - enter the password (if you do not remember the password, see below)

C. Problem: I don't remember my password

     Solution: You should have the client downloaded and installed. If not, see Problem B above. Once you have the client installed:

      - click 'forgot my password' on the workspaces client 

Other than email related difficulties already discussed, you should generally not have much difficulty with the VDI. If you encounter difficulties with VDI, you should contact your TFs or instructor.